Bhubaneswar, Sept. 29: Durga Puja is just a few days away but the typical fervour and frenzy associated with this festival is conspicuous by its absence.

Even the Durga Puja committees in the capital have decided to keep the five-day festivities a low-key affair this year because of the floods that have badly hit almost two-third of the state.

Busy preparing the religious rituals of Dussehra, the committees are ensuring that all the rites are adhered to. But the splendour and show will be kept subtle.

“Many of our brothers and sisters are stranded in the flood. Many have been killed and some are still missing. The situation leaves us in no mood for fun and frolic,” said Arvind Das, secretary of Ashok Nagar Durga Puja Samiti.

Some of the biggest puja mandaps in the capital such as, Nayapalli Durga Puja Committee, Saheed Nagar Durga Puja Samiti and Ashok Nagar Durga Puja Samiti have decided to either slash the budget of the festival or on its cultural programmes.

“We have donated Rs 51,000 from our Durga puja budget to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund and cut down on the extravaganza in the memory of those who have lost life and property in the floods,” said Saheed Nagar Durga Puja Samiti treasurer Harish Prasad Rath.

Nayapalli Durga Puja Samiti, known for its elaborate mandap designs, also has decided to contribute a certain percentage of the budget after Dusshera.

General secretary of Nayapalli Durga Puja Samiti Premananda Jena said: “Every year we bring noted artistes from the field of music and dance. Last year, we had inviteds Anuradha Paudwal. But this year, we are all depressed because of the floods and we want to keep our cultural programmes low-key. We have arranged for a ‘bhanjan sandhya’. Arabinda Muduli and a few other local singers will perform this year.”

Old Station Puja Samiti and Rasulgarh Puja Committee are also following similar lines.

“Our committee has donated Rs 50,000 to Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. This year there will be no dance programmes as the dance troupe will not be able to make it to Bhubaneswar because of the floods,” said secretary of Old Station Puja Committee Deepak Jena.

The low key celebrations however, have not marred the religious zeal of the puja organisers. The idols of Goddess Durga are being given the final touch at the pandals to be worshipped from Sunday.